Wednesday 9/18/13

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Spartans team up on donations to cancer

Dantonio fired up about Cook at QB

Kicking off a new season

Following a U-M skywriting prank Saturday, MSU fans give to cancer research

Head coach excited for South Bend road trip with new starter

features, page 7

campus+city, page 5

sports, page 6

Julia Nagy/The State News

Theatre senior Brianna Buckley

statenews.com | 9/18/13 | @thesnews Michigan State University’s independent voice

‘Warrior day in, day out’ Lone senior from recruiting class, Kelsey Mullen, leading as captain

acade m ics

faculty forum looks at provost criteria By Justine McGuire jmcguire@statenews.com

By Derek Blalock

THE STATE NEWS

dblalock@statenews.com

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THE STATE NEWS nn

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hen there was one.

Kelsey Mullen entered MSU four years ago along with three others as members of the women’s soccer class of 2014. The class was loaded with top players in the state and country, including Annie Steinlage and Courtney Clem, as well as Chelsey Miller, who decided to focus on academics and quit the team after two years. The class entered with considerable expectations with Mullen, Clem and Steinlage all being multiple All-State selections in high school. But with the transfer of one, redshirt of a second and the departure of another, only Mullen remains as this year’s lone senior on a squad with only six upperclassmen — the fewest since 1988 — forcing Mullen into a leadership role for the team. Homegrown product Growing up just a few miles in nearby Okemos, Mich., Mullen was raised a Spartan fan and in the end, knew it was the right move to spend the next four years calling MSU home. “I knew it was really important for me to know that my parents could come to most of the games,” she said. “Being so far away from home was out of the options.” Head coach Tom Saxton said Mullen has been essential to the team her entire four years. She’s been a consistent Spartan warrior and has played through aches and pains that have popped up along the way, he said. That consistency has shown as well. By the end of her career, Mullen could rank among

Photos by Georgina De Moya /The State News

Senior midfielder/defender Kelsey Mullen, no. 15, walks out onto the field with her teammates after the end of halftime during the game against Bowling Green on Sept. 13, 2013 at DeMartin Stadium at Old College Field. The Spartans defeated the Falcons, 3-1.

Kelsey Mullen’s career with the Spartans 2009-10 season

Named First Team All-State as a high school junior and senior.

2010 season

2010 season start

Could rank top 10 in MSU history in career starts. She currently has 60.

End of 2013 season

First career MSU start against St. Johns.

the top 10 in school history in career starts. She has started every game she has played but one since she first donned a Spartan uniform. By the end of the season, barring injury, Mullen could

End of 2013 season

Was a starter on an MSU defense that allowed the least amount of goals in school history.

Could rank top 10 in MSU history in career starts. She currently has 60.

rank tied for seventh in history with 75 games started, if she starts the remaining 11 regular season games. Mullen also was a starting defender on the 2011 team that allowed the fewest goals in school history, while fea-

turing the school's only threetime All-American, Laura Heyboer. That year, the Spartans placed third in the Big Ten, which Mullen said ranks as a top moment in her career. “I’d really hate to look that far down the road now,

but she’s been a great Spartan,” Saxton said of Mullen. “She’s a positive influence, always a quiet sense of humor, but always a great positive attitude and just a gam-

See WARRIOR on page 2

To see a video interview with Kelsey Mullen on her career at MSU visit statenews.com/multimedia.

Faculty weighed in on what qualities the next MSU provost should have at an open forum on Tuesday, saying that the provost should have strong ties to the university while balancing diversity and inclusion. About 30 faculty members attended the first of two forums and gave suggestions including sensitivity to the role of the arts and humanities at the university. “Because the provost is the chief academic officer of the university, it’s important that faculty have a voice and be able to chime in about the needs and desires that we have for our next provost,” said Sue Carter, Steering Committee chair and journalism professor. Provost search committee chair Mary Mundt, dean of the College of Nursing, presided over the meeting and answered faculty questions. Debra Nails, a philosophy professor, said she wants to find someone who will stay at MSU for a longer period of time than has been the norm. Nails added that many administrators stay at MSU for about five years and then go on to other things. “Their vision gets in the way of our teaching and research,” she said. “I hope we’re seeking people that might have a connection to MSU, people that have already done a great job at the university and have some desire to come back.” She added she was disappointed the provost job posting doesn’t say anything about scholarship, research or publication. Mundt responded that anyone can nominate a candidate. “The provost needs to work effectively with the student groups because students understand what is needed to create an inclusive community where they can develop and thrive,” said Lee June, a professor in the Honors College. He also advocated for a provost who understands arts See PROVOST on page 2

2013 Election

obituary

Law student’s death still a mystery students are focus of asmsu campaign By Katie Abdilla kabdilla@statenews.com

Where Noah Cooper was found

By Nolly Dakroury ndakroury@statenews.com

THE STATE NEWS

THE STATE NEWS

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From the moment he first met Noah Cooper, MSU alumnus Masaki Takahashi could tell his friend and former co-worker always made time for the people he loved most. But when Takahashi noticed his friend was struggling to cope with issues in his personal life, he wasn’t sure how to help. “He never wanted to have a serious conversation anymore,” Takahashi said. “You know when your friend's lying to you. It was obvious what he was going through, and I feel guilty for not being there for him.” Cooper, a 31-year-old student in the MSU College of Law, was found unresponsive around 1:15 p.m. Sunday in Patriarche Park and later died, East Lansing police Capt. Jeff Murphy said.

With the East Lansing City Council elections coming up in November, ASMSU has decided to step in to spread awareness among students to register and vote. “In general, people are more excited about federal elections, but when it comes to city elections," it's a different story, said Jessica Leacher, ASMSU vice president for governmental affairs. On Sept. 12, the ASMSU Policy Committee voted to pass a bill allowing the undergraduate student government to spread awareness among students to vote in the upcoming city council elections Nov. 5. “When it comes to your city, (city council members)

See OBITUARY on page 2

Isabel Calder | SN

“We really hope (the forum) generates a lot of students and gets the students involved and excited.” Jessica Leacher, ASMSU VP for Governmental Affairs

are the most influential people in your everyday life,” Leacher said, adding that the student government will be hosting a forum with all six candidates from 7-9 p.m. Oct. 2. Leacher said students will have the opportunity to express their opinions and concerns to the candidates in a question and answer session at the forum. Journalism junior Carly Giles said she was unaware of the city council elections were coming up and that she has never voted for city council before. “I would probably go educate myself (at the forum),” Giles said. “There's no reason not to.” Leacher said ASMSU was

keen on hosting the forum before the registration deadline on Oct. 7 , encouraging students to register to vote at the event as well. “We've talked to the MSU College Democrats, and we agreed that there will be voter registration at the forum,” Leacher said, adding that the location of the forum still is to be determined. Students can learn more about registering to vote at ASMSU's office located in Student Services. Leacher said ASMSU has talked to the candidates running for city council and all expressed their willingness to

See COUNCIL on page 2


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Wednesday 9/18/13 by The State News - Issuu